“The Leopard” as a series: art of stylish doom

Netflix has ventured to a literary classic: The costume epic “The Leopard” is a visual remake of the only novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa (1896-1957). The noble from Sicily remained completely unknown as a writer during his lifetime. It was only shortly after his death “The Leopard” was recognized as a stroke of genius, moved and worldwide to the bestseller.

The story of an ancient Sicilian princely family in the restless late 19th century captivated millions of readers. Since March 5, the massive fabric has been available at Netflix about a great love story in a Italy between yesterday and tomorrow. It is a monumental work in six parts – coherent, entertaining and top -class.

The focus of the action is Don Fabrizio, Prince of Salina, called “The Leopard”. He is rich, powerful, respected and clarified. At that time, Sicily is one of the most backward places in Europe, which shaped mentality by a thousand -old serenity towards new conquerors.

But the union of the patchwork of Italy to a nation state shakes the old feudal order. The future of the princely family is also in the stars. For Don Fabrizio, it is time to adapt to a new age.

The prince of Salina has to decide: he could stop the impending descent of his family with the striking predator coat of arms by married his nephew Tancredi to Angelica from a wealthy citizens’ family-but with that he would break his heart to his favorite subsidiary Concetta.

Luchino Visconti filmed the novel in 1963, a few years after it appeared. The drama with Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale and Alain Delon is considered a masterpiece. The young Terence Hill performed in a supporting role.

Now Netflix advertises: “A new generation is discovering the work of the century.” The first serial adaptation was shot with a completely Italian line -up and produced with great effort at original locations in Palermo, Syrakus and Catania to capture the authenticity of the 19th century.

The main role of Don Fabrizio, Prince of Salina, embodies Kim Rossi Stuart. In Italy, Stuart is one of the outstanding stars in cinema, television and theater. Many German spectators probably quickly recognize his face, but cannot immediately classify it: In the 90s fantasy series “Princess Fantaghirò” he played the fairytale king Romualdo.

Benedetta Porcaroli can be seen in the role of the Concetta, it impressed in the coming-of-age series “Baby”, also for Netflix. There Porcaroli played a minor prostitute in Rome. Deva Cassel – the unearthly beautiful daughter of the actor couple Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel – has so far been known as a photo model. She appears as Angelica. Saul Nanni – he plays the Tancredi – you know from the Netflix scandal series “SuperSex”.

The production effort was gigantic: on more than 100 shooting days, up to 5,000 extras was shot. In the fight scenes such as Garibaldi’s entry into Palermo, almost 1,300 people were in front of the cameras as soldiers. Nine days of shooting were only used for the big ball and dance scenes.